Sand pump bottom



G. W. MILLER SAND PUMP BOTTOM Filed July 18, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR G. W, MILLER smp PUMP BOTTOM Filed July 18. 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTGR M MAM m MW ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 24, 1940 PATENT. OFFlCE SAND Prnvre norroM George W. Miller, Sapnlpa, Okla. Application July 18, 1938,. Serial No. 219,705

Claims.

This invention relates to sand pumps and more particularly to the structure of the bottom thereof by which sandy material and like debris in oil or similar wells are loosened, collected and trap- 5 ped in the barrel of the pump for removing the debris from the well in cleaning-out operations.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide an improved bottom structure for sand pumps; to provide an improved debris trapping mechanism for the sand pump; to provide for latching the trapping mechanism whereby debris may enter the pump barrel and be retained therein until it is desired to remove the same from the barrel; to provide an improved debris loosening mechanism capable of employment in connection with the sand pump and trapping mechanism; to provide improved parts and arrangements of those parts in the construction of a sand pump of this character; and to provide a relatively inexpensive, highly efficient, and very durable sand pump embodying the features of this invention.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the lower end of a sand pump barrel illustrating the preferred form of my improved sand pump bottom structure applied thereto. p

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section through the lower end of the sand pump on the line 2--2, Fig. 1, illustrating the trap valve mechanism in debris-admitting condition.

Fig. 3 is a similar vertical cross-section through the lower end of the sand pump, the trap valve mechanism being illustrated in debris-releasing condition.

40 Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-section through the lower end of the sand pump substantially on the line l--4, Fig. 2, illustrating the trap and valve mechanism in closed condition. i

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a sand pump bottom structure embodying. this invention, illustrating the manner of releasing the trap valve latching mechanism.

Fig; 6 is a detail perspective View of a sand pump bottom structure illustrating a modified form of trap valve mechanism latch.

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-section throughthe modified form of sand pump bottom structure illustrated in Fig. 6, showing the latching mechanism in trap valve closing condition.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal cross-section through the modified form of sand pump bottom structure substantially on the line 8-4), Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a sand pump bottom structure embodying the features of the present invention illustrating a debris loosening 5 mechanism applied thereto, the debris loosening mechanism being shown in contracted bottom structure engaging condition.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 9 illustrating the debris loosening mechanism in 10 protracted condition.

Fig. 11 is a detail vertical cross-section of the debris loosening mechanism on the line III i, Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a horizontal crosssecticn through the debris loosening mechanism on the line l2l2, Fig. 11.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The apparatus embodying the preferred form of the present invention preferably includes a sand pump barrel l, the lower end of which has sleeved therein or otherwise secured thereto, as by rivets or the like 2, a bushing 3. The bushing 3 is preferably internally threaded at its lower end for receiving the sand pump bottom structure embodying the principal features of the present invention.

The bottom structure 4 is of preferably generally cylindrical or tubular conformation and has threaded engagement with the bushing 3 at its upper reduced end 5. The reduced end 5 of the bottom structureis provided with a shoulder B for engagement with the lower end of the bush ing. The hollow interior of the bottom structure is provided, substantially midway the length thereof, with the trap valve mechanism 1, now to be described.

8 designates a recess in the inner wall of the bottom structure for receiving the pivoted end 9 of the trap valve mechanism on a pin I ll suitably 49 mounted on the bottom structure in transverse relation thereto, as particularly illustrated at H in Fig. 4. The trap valve mechanism preferably consists of an annular ring 62 extendible laterally of the pivoted end thereof and engageable at its upper face portion with an inwardly extending annular shoulder it on the inner wall of the bottom structure 4. A valve i l having a tapered seat iii, seats on the ring to close the opening It therein and the valve M is pivoted on the 50 ring l2 by extension of a pin ll through ears It on the valve and 2. lug ill extending upwardly from the ring adjacent the pivoted end 9.

In order to retain the trap valve mechanism in closed condition, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the

latch mechanism 20 is provided, which preferably consists of an arm 2| pivotally mounted at its lower end on a pivot pin 22 suitably mounted in the bottom structure of the sand pump and transversely thereof, as particularly illustrated in dotted lines at 23 in Fig. 4.

The upper end 24 of the arm 2! is provided with an inner face engageable within a recess 25 in the bottom structure in such a manner that the outer face of the latching arm 2! is substantially flush with the outer surface of the pump in order to avoid protuberances which might impede the proper unhindered reciprocation of the sand pump in a well.

The recess 25 is offset inwardly substantially at its upper end, as at 26, to form a seat for a lug 2'! on the arm 2! to effect substantial locking engagement of the arm 2! with the bottom structure wall. An inwardly extending boss 28 is also provided on the upper end of the arm 2! below the lug 2'! and end 24 thereof, the boss 28 being of a size sufiicient to form a seat 29 for the ring !2 of the trap valve mechanism, as particularly illustrated in Fig. 2.

In order to normally maintain engagement between the trap valve mechanism and latching mechanism, a spring 30 is preferably employed, the lower end of which spring is fixed to: the bottom structure at the lower end of the recess 25, as by rivets 3! or similar fastening devices. The upper end of the spring bears against the outer face of the latching arm 2! for normally urging the latching arm inwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, the arrangement of the spring being such that the pump barrel, the bushing, the bottom structure, and the latching mechanism lie in substantially the same circular plane, thereby avoiding the possibility of unintentionally unlatching the trap valve mechanism prematurely when the pump barrel is withdrawn from the well.

The lower end of the bottom structure is provided with suitable cut outs 32, the bounding surfaces of which form bit or like points for engaging sand or other debris in a well and loosening same to prepare the debris for admission into the hollow interior of the pump barrel.

The operation of a sand pump embodying the features of my preferred form of invention is as follows:

Assuming the pump to be in the condition illustrated in Fig. 3, that is, with the load removed therefrom, and further assuming that the sand pump is at the top of the well; the ring !2 may be manually engaged and forced upwardly into engagement with the bottom tapered edge of the boss 28 of the latching arm 2! for moving the latching arm outwardly against tension of the spring to permit extension of the ring 2 into engagement with the lower face of the annular ring !3 of the bottom structure. In this position of the ring !2, the spring 30 is permitted to come into play to force the latching arm 2! inwardly in such a manner that the boss 28 thereof forms a supporting seat for the ring I 2 of the trap valve mechanism.

The sand pump is then lowered to the bottom of a well and the bounding edges of the cutouts 32 loosen debris in the well. Suitable plunger mechanism, not shown, is then actuated for creating a suction within the barrel to unseat the valve !4 and admit debris into the pump barrel. When the pump barrel is full, the sand pump may be removed from the well, upward movement thereof causing downward movement of the valve [4 to close off the lower end of the sand pump barrel, thereby retaining the debris in the barrel. The sand pump is then removed from the well and a suitable tool may be engaged with the upper end 24 of the latch arm as illustrated in Fig. 5 to force the latch arm outwardly against tension of the spring 30. The seat for the ring I2 being removed, the trap valve mechanism pivots downwardly on the pin ID, as shown in Fig. 3, and the contents of the barrel are discharged. The described operation is then repeated until the well is cleaned of debris.

In Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive, a sand pump bottom structure embodying features of my invention is illustrated, wherein a bushing 35, similar to the bushing 3 previously described, is suitably mounted in a sand pump barrel, not shown, and wherein a bottom structure 36 is provided with debrisengaging surfaces 38 which bound the cutouts 39, much in the same manner as the corresponding parts previously described. The trap valve mechanism 40 is also substantially similar to that previously described and preferably includes a pivoted ring 4! having an opening 42 therein closed by a valve 43 pivotally mounted as at 44 on the ring 4 I.

The latching mechanism 45 in this form of the invention preferably consists of an arcuate insert 46, Fig. 6, mounted in an arcuate recess 4'! extending transversely through the wall of the bottom structure. The insert 46 is pivotally mounted in the recess 4'! by the pivot pin 48, Fig. 8, and has an car 49 opposite its pivoted end which engages a tapered seat 50 upon the bottom structure wall to position the outer face of the insert in flush relation with the outer surface of the bottom structure wall.

The upper inner edge 5! of the insert is preferably tapered and forms a seat 52 for the ring 4! when the ring is raised and the insert is pivoted inwardly as illustrated in Fig. 7.

In order to retain the insert in ring-seating condition, a recess 53 is provided in the wall of the bottom structure above the recess 49, the lower bounding wall of which recess is provided with an aperture extending through the bottom structure wall in alignment with a socket 54 adjacent one end of the insert 46. A pin 55 is mounted in the recess 53 and extends through the aperture therein for lodgment in the socket 54. seats at its lower end on a washer fixed to the pin. The upper end of the spring bears against the upper wall 5'! of the recess in the bottom structure wall and about a socket 58 therein which receives the upper end of the pin 55. The end of the pin below the washer is of a length adapting it for extension into the socket 54 of the insert to lock the insert in inwardly pivoted condition to seat the ring 4 I.

The operation of the modified form of latching mechanism employed in connection with this form of the invention is as follows:

Assuming the sand pump to have been emptied at the top of the well and to be in the condition illustrated in Fig. 6, the ring 4! is moved upwardly on its pivot and the insert 46 is moved inwardly on its pivot 48 to underlie and seat the ring 4!. The pin 55 is moved upwardly upon engagement of the beveled inner edge 5! of the insert therewith to permit inward pivotal movement of the insert and the spring 56 causes downward movement of the pin into the socket 5 when the pin overlies the socket to latch the insert in ring-seating condition. The sand pump A spring 56 is provided on the pin 55 and is then lowered in the well, and the ends 38 of the bottom structure loosen debris in the well, which debris is drawn into the interior 59 of the bottom structure in the usual manner and when the pump barrel is full, it is then drawn out of the well. Upward movement of the sand pump causes the valve A3 to seat on the ring M to close the opening 2 therein to trap the debris in the pump barrel.

When the sand pump has reached the top of the well, a suitable tool, not shown, may be applied between the lower wall of the recess 53 and the washer on the pin 55 for lifting the pin out of the socket 554 in such a manner that the insert may be pivoted outwardly to remove the insert from ring-seating condition, at which time, the ring and valve drop downwardly on the ring pivot and the debris in the pump barrel is discharged.

The operation just described is then repeated until the well is cleaned of debris.

In Figs. 9 to 12, a further modified form of invention is shown, wherein the bottom structure 65 is substantially similar to that illustrated in the preferred form of invention, and which includes a latching mechanism 66 adapted to latch a trap valve mechanism in the bottom structure in closed condition, as has already been described.

In this form of the invention, the lower debris loosening end 61 of the bottom structure is provided with a cross-member, as indicated at 68, which is provided with a vertically disposed bore 69 having an annular shoulder Ill, Fig. 11, substantially at its lower end.

H designates a bit and 12 represents a shank extending upwardly from the bit, the shank having a head 13 thereon of substantially the same diameter as the bore 69. The head 13, however, is adapted to seat on the shoulder 10 at the lower end of the bore 69 for retaining the bit and bottom structure in interengaged relation.

In order to facilitate loosening of debris in a well hole, it is desirable to cause rotative movement of the bit in the hole and to this end, the bit is provided on its shank with a plurality of threads 14 adapted to run in grooves l5 cut into the bore 69 of the cross-member 68. It has been found that a quarter turn of the bit H is. satisfactory, and the threads and grooves are arranged in such a manner that when the sand pump is in a position in the well, other than on the bottom of the well, gravity, acting on the bit effects extension of the bit to the lower end of the bore 69, as shown in Fig. 10, and engagement of the bit with the bottom of the well causes retraction of the bit into the bottom structure, as shown in Fig. 9, the bit being given a quarter turn simultaneously with retraction thereof into engagement with the bottom structure.

In this manner, debris is. loosened upon reciprocation of the sand pump in an oil or similar well and upon actuation of a plunger mechanism, not shown, the loosened debris may be drawn and passed through cut outs 16 in the sides of the bottom structure for passage through a suitable trap valve mechanism, preferably of the form illustrated in the other forms of the invention, and thence to the pump barrel supporting the sand pump bottom structure herein described for removal of the debris from the well in the manner previously described.

If desired, suitable retaining devices, such as a screw ll, may be extended through the bottom structure into engagement with the shank I2 to lock the bit against rotation relative to the sand pump bottom structure.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a' sand pump, a barrel, and a bottom structure for the pump mounted in said barrel, said bottom structure including a tubular member extending downwardly from the barrel, a ring pivotally mounted in the tubular member, a valve pivotally mounted on said ring adapted to seat on said ring and close the opening therein, and a member pivotally mounted on said tubular member adapted to seat said ring for retaining the valve in barrel closing condition.

2. In a sand pump, a barrel, and a bottom structure for the pump mounted in said barrel, said bottom structure including a tubular member extending downwardly from the barrel, a ring pivotally mounted in the tubular member, a valve pivotally mounted on said ring adapted to seat on said ring and close the opening therein, an arm pivotally mounted on said tubular member having a boss adapted to seat said ring for retaining the valve in barrel closing condition, and means resiliently maintaining said arm in ring seating condition.

3. An apparatus of the character described including a tubular member, a valve mechanism pivotally mounted in said tubular member adapted to seat therein and close off the same, an insert pivotally mounted on the tubular member and engageable with said valve mechanism for retaining said mechanism in closed condition, and latching means mounted in said tubular member engageable with said insert.

4. An apparatus of the character described including a tubular member, a ring pivotally mounted in said tubular member, a valve pivotally mounted on said ring adapted to seat thereon and close the opening therein, an insert pivotally mounted on the tubular member and engageable with said ring for retaining the valve in closed condition, and latching means mounted in said tubular member engageable with said insert.

5. In a sand pump, a barrel, and a bottom structure for the pump mounted in said barrel, said bottom structure including a tubular member projecting from the barrel, a valve mechanism mounted in said tubular member and adapted to seat therein and close off the same, and a member pivotally mounted on said tubular member and engageable with said valve mechanism to normally retain the same in barrel closing condition.

GEORGE W. MILLER. 

